Chapter Thirty-Eight

Idon’t like Hera.

I don’t like her one bit. I could understand how she was. She has lived a long time. Zeus was an ass to her at one point. At least some of the human mythology was true. I understand she got cheated on and humiliated when she was with Zeus, so of course she was bitter.

However, I didn’t like how she kept a hand off approach to humans who were suffering. She could obviously help, and she didn’t want to.

Hades and Ember did want to help. Thanatos and I spent a long time talking about Ember and Hades, how they met and how it was her dream to help other women like her that were in situations like mine. But the gods--these have had these stupid laws in place for centuries. They weren’t to intervene in human business.

They could have relations with them, I guess?

If that was the case, then why not help when humans needed it?

I wasn’t philosophic; I didn’t take any classes like that in college to figure out why the gods were the way they were and what decisions they have made. I just knew at least some of them will help.

But waiting on Hera to look through her burn book would not get rid of the ants in my pants. I couldn’t sit and wait for Hera to look through all the deities she created from revenge to see if one of them could be this match make/Fuzzy Bunnies owner.

We had to act and just because I was human wasn’t an excuse. I would not sit by and let life pass me by—just like before my near death.

Right now we have the large, big screen tv on. The men were watching football, because what else would men be watching? A bunch of male gods just eating grapes and drinking wine? That would have been way too mainstream for them.

I gritted my teeth again for the hundredth time. Thanatos rubbed his thumb up my arm. He knew I was angry; we hadn’t gotten away and talked about what transpired in the conference room, but he very well knew I was not of fan of Hera. That will be hard to break to Uriel if she ever asks me if I like her mom, which, come to think of it, I think their relationship is strained, anyway.

“Touch down!” Ares jumped up from the chair across the room and yells. “Did you see that?!” He pointed to the screen and hoots.

“I don’t understand why they have to wear so much armor,” Hypnos yawned. “Doesn’t look like they can run very well.”

“Because humans are weak, their heads can’t take much of a beating. It will knock ‘em out, sometimes they can die from it. Even with their helmets, they are subject to brain damage.”

Lucifer snorted and squeezed Uriel around the shoulders and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you exhibit A.” He waved toward Ares, who was oblivious because his eyes were glued to the giant screen.

I’d been sitting here for hours. I needed air, I needed to move, I needed to do—something. I broke from Thanatos’ hold and stood, but he grabbed my wrist.

“Where are you going?” He held onto me tight and tilted his head.

“Ladies’ room, I’ll be back.” I leaned forward and gave him a kiss through his hood.

I wasn’t mad at him. I was mad at the helplessness. All my life, I sat back and let people do their thing, and now I itched to help. And now, I wasn’t allowed to. I didn’t want to be the person who sat back anymore. Helping Amanda felt good, helping those others escape felt amazing.

And I felt I was stronger than what some of these gods gave me credit for. I could help, even if I was human. Yet, no one would give me the chance.

I needed this, needed to feel like I made a difference instead of sitting in the Underworld watching football and getting railed with a ribbed dick.

Thanatos hummed into the kiss and let me go and watched me as I left.

As I drifted away in my thoughts in the long hallway, I pivoted the corner, aiming for the distant restroom to find solace. But just as I expect relief, I collided with an imposing, shadowy figure. The impact jolts through me, a grunt escaped my lips, and I teeter on the brink of stumbling to the floor.

“Umph, sorry, didn’t mean to round the corner so fast.” I rubbed my head and stare up at the guy. He’s got long, black shoulder length hair, a narrow face and slim body. He’s got his hands in his pocket and a devilish smirk that reminds me of Lucifer and Hades.

Ahh, this must be the missing son, Loki.

“And you are correct,” he purred.

I stared at him blankly for a moment before I sidestep him and continued on my way. I may have met his sister, was nice to her and all, but I wasn’t really in the mood to make a new friend. I’m here to wallow in self-pity.

But instead of being alone like I wanted, I hear him turn and his footsteps soon catch up with me.

“I can hear the gears turning in your head, Juniper,” he said. “You don’t like sitting around waiting for Hera, do you?”

I stopped and stared up at him. “How do you know my name?”

“Just because you don’t see me doesn’t mean I don’t know things that go on in the palace.” He smiled. “You want to help those women, don’t you? You want to find out the owner as quick as possible, well I can help you with that.”

I cautiously observed him, my eyes narrowing with suspicion. “And what makes you so eager to help me with this?”

Loki shrugged his shoulders. “Let’s just say I’ve got to broaden my horizons. I want to prove to my parents that I can be helpful and contribute to the household. And besides, I want to help.” His face softens. “My mom went through shit, and I don’t want anyone else to go through what she went through, either. Besides, isn’t the auction soon? We need to catch the bitch, otherwise she might get spooked and any other clubs she has out there we may never find.”

I bit on my bottom lip. Loki was a kid, but he looked older. Thanatos mentioned gods aged faster and were smarter than human children, but he had little life experience.

How could I trust him? What if he got hurt?

Loki leaned up against the wall and let his hand morph into bird like claws. “I understand your hesitation, Juniper,” he said, his voice dripping with sincerity. “But this is my chance to prove myself, to prove that I can be more than just their lazy, girl crazy son. And I assure you, I have the means to assist you in finding this deity.”

I studied Loki’s face, searching for any signs of deception. His eyes held a glimmer of determination, and I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope stir within my chest. Perhaps Loki was right; maybe he could help me. Take me to the matchmaker, see if she is there, and we fly back to let everyone know.

Easy peasy.

“Alright,” I finally conceded, cautiously extending my hand toward him. “If you truly want to help, I’ve got a plan. But you need to listen to what I say. I don’t need your mother being angry with me because you got hurt.”

A mischievous grin spread across Loki’s face as he clasped my hand in his own. The moment our skin touched; a surge of energy pulsed through me.

We were going to do this.

Loki already knew where the matchmaker was located. While his parents conducted their investigation, Loki had done his own. He was quite the resourceful god, and it made me wonder what his ulterior motives really were.

Sure, he had the glimmer in his eyes, the sob story about he wanted to please his parents, but I didn’t believe it. He made sure I was away from Uriel and Mariah when he proposed this to me, so I knew there was something up. But I was out of options. I wanted to prove to them I could be helpful too, even if I was a human.

Most of all, I wanted to prove it to myself.

We both had our motives.

If I was already bonded to Thanatos, I couldn”t help them, and I believe that”s the reason I haven”t fully bonded with him yet. This way I can help. I could help find her then I can go bond with Thanatos. We can finish it in a day, tops.

Loki wasted no time, his grip on my wrist firm as he swiftly guided me through the dimly lit hallway. The distant echoes of Thanatos’ urgent voice reached my ears, spurring me to quicken my steps in a desperate attempt to escape through the door alongside Loki.

Loki’s mischievous laugh echoed to the halls, morphing into a song of a raven or a crow. He slapped his hand over his mouth to cease the noise.

“Juniper!” I heard Thanatos’ voice thunder through the palace and my heart instantly dropped to my stomach.

I didn’t want to hurt Thanatos, but I also didn’t want to leave those women suffering, either.

The massive palace doors, devoid of any vigilant guards, a deliberate ploy by Loki, I’m sure, swung open with a blinding flash, reverberating a thunderous bang against the ancient stone walls.

Again, my name rumbled through the palace, shaking the palace steps.

Feathers suddenly sprouted all around us, softly rustling against the air. Loki’s hand underwent a mysterious transformation and morphed into elegant, obsidian feathers, while his feet sprouted sharp talons. With a gentle release of my hands, his face contorted, now resembling a sleek onyx beak.

He was a giant freaking raven.

“Gods, what is happening?” I screamed, wanting to turn back and run into the palace.

“Caw mon!” he cawed, his wing flapped while he guided me toward a large archway.

The sky darkens. The sun that was created for Ember hides behind clouds and the lightning pierced the sky.

The black stone archway we came upon was actually a portal, I now realize. It was like a pool, rippling with each blow of the wind. “Say, Chicago, Illinois.” Loki flapped his wings violently.

I stared at him and the portal and then a large bolt of lightning cracks across the sky. The wind picked up and my hair twirls around my neck and blocked my vision.

“Juniper!” Thanatos’ voice was loud and commanding.

I clutched my pounding heart, and slowly pivoted to face the grand palace steps. The eerie silhouette of his shadow’s dances fervently, its scythe gleamed in hand. Piercing blue eyes fixate unwaveringly on me, as if peering into my soul.

“Get away from Loki!” he bellowed.

“I have to save them. Let me help!” I yelled back at him.

“We will figure it out! Get. Away. From. The. Portal!”

I stood up straight, rolling my shoulders back. “Let me help.”

“I will not put you in danger. No.”

I narrowed my eyes at Thanatos and feel Loki’s feathers brush against my body. “Now, Now!” he cawed.

“Chicago, Illinois,” I said only loud enough for Loki and me to hear. I grabbed Loki’s wing and hopped on his feathery back.

Because, why the hell not?

As the portal began to swirl and pull us in, the deafening sound of rushing wind filled my ears. Thanatos spread his massive ebony wings and lunged forward, his fingertips grazing against the edge of the vortex, but it’s too late. The air crackled with energy as we vanish into the swirling abyss, leaving him behind, a mix of desperation and defeat hanging in my heart.

The swirling sensation of the portal disorientates me, my body jolted with every turn and twist. Loki’s wings flap with strength and precision, guiding us through the chaotic void. My heart races, a mix of fear and anticipation making me sick.

Suddenly, the vortex spit us out, and we soared into the sky. My body gripped tightly to Loki, who was cawing into the air.

It didn’t take long for him to land in a park, away from prying eyes, and once his large talons hit the ground, I jumped off and lay on the soft grass.

“Oh my gods, never again.” I rubbed my cheek on the blades and sunk my fingers into the dirt. “I’m never riding on your back again.”

Thanatos was so much more gentle.

Loki ruffled his feathers, some became detached and flew around him. Once they settled, he stood up impeccably clean, like he had never been a raven to begin with. He was in an all-black three-piece suit, his hair slicked back just like he walked out of an Armani store.

Bastard.

Loki’s smirk grew wide as he tugged on his vest. “Welcome to Chicago. Now,” he looked down at his watch-,” we have an appointment in about an hour, so why don’t we get going?” He held his hand out for me to take.

I stared at it for a moment before taking it, and he helped me stand.

“Y-you got an appointment with the matchmaker?”

Loki nodded. “Yeah, Simone was much more cooperative to talk with when you give into demands as opposed to beating it out of her.” He shivered.

“And what did she want?”

Loki frowned. “She wants to know where her mate is.”

I gasped. “And how are you going to tell her where it is? She’s in the dungeons, isn’t she? Your father won’t let her out!”

Loki bobbed his head. “You just leave that to me. Now, let’s go find out who this lady is and get you home.”

I followed Loki because he had a better idea where we were going than I did. Hell, he had all this planned out from the start; he was never planning on listening to me now, was he?

“Hang on just a second!” My legs wobbled as I shook off our journey. I nearly fell, but Loki spun around and caught me, shaking his head.

“Yeah, humans are a bit more fragile, aren’t they?”

I stood and pushed him away. “We are not!” I snapped. “Humans go through a lot. I have been through a lot. Just because I’m not used to jumping through realms or seeing people wear meat hands does not make me weak!”

“Meat hands?” he said under his breath.

“Those women,” I point in a random direction, “are strong and are keeping themselves put together and surviving. Just like your mother.”

Loki’s face fell.

“I’m sorry, Juniper. I didn’t mean—”

“Yeah, none of you mean it. It still stings. It doesn’t help that I left Thanatos back there. He thinks I left him, too.”

The look in Thanatos’ eyes when I left was full of anger, but I felt his heart break. My heart broke too, but he had to know that I wasn’t some breakable doll. I would not sit there. I sat most of my life, trying not to get in the way. Making sure I wasn’t a burden to anyone else.

I felt too strongly about this to let it go, and if he didn’t like that then —

I took a deep, stuttering breath.

I couldn’t think about that right now. I couldn’t think about what he will say when I see him again—if he didn’t want me for not listening to him.

I just would not sit around anymore. I was going to find out who this woman was. It would be so much easier for them to find her if we just knew who she was.

“Loki, you had all this planned out, like you knew I was going to say yes. You’ve been watching me and set this up.”

Loki doesn’t blink, doesn’t look the least bit guilty.

“You tell me why right now what the hell is going on, or I’m not going anywhere.”